Israel has expelled Spain from the U.S. Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), located in Kiryat Gat. This decision was announced by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on a Friday afternoon.
Background of the CMCC
The CMCC, part of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was established in October 2025. It aims to manage humanitarian and security assistance to Gaza under the framework of the U.S. peace plan initiated by former President Donald Trump.
Reasons for Spain’s Expulsion
- Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Spain had displayed a repeated pattern of hostility towards the country.
- Netanyahu accused Spain of defaming Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, calling the IDF “the most moral army in the world.”
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar highlighted Spain’s “obsessive anti-Israel bias” under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leadership.
Political Implications
Sa’ar expressed that Spain’s inability to play a constructive role in peace initiatives stems from its stance against Israel. He remarked that this bias disqualifies Spain from contributing effectively to the peace process.
The expulsion also reflects ongoing tensions between Spain and Israel, especially regarding military campaigns. Recently, Sánchez has criticized Netanyahu, describing his actions as “contempt for life and international law.”
Spain’s Current Position
Despite potential repercussions from the U.S. for its critical stance, Spain has fortified its position against both the U.S. and Israeli military actions. Sánchez has even restricted Spanish airspace to aircraft associated with what he has termed reckless and illegal operations.
This decision to expel Spain from the CMCC highlights the increasing diplomatic rift between Israel and nations perceived as adversarial in their policies and statements.
